South Gyeongsang Province moves to shape strategy for SMR special zone

South Gyeongsang Province convened the "South Gyeongsang SMR Special Zone Strategic Planning Advisory Council" at the provincial office Monday, with about 20 experts from the nuclear power industry, academia and research institutions in attendance. The meeting was held to proactively respond to the central government's plans to establish a small modular reactor special zone and to chart a differentiated direction for the zone by drawing on the province's nuclear manufacturing base and industrial competitiveness.

The province envisions developing South Gyeongsang into a global SMR industry hub by linking technology development, advanced manufacturing, demonstration projects and specialist workforce training — all built on the region's industrial and research capacity across nuclear companies, research institutes and universities. To that end, the province plans to gather expert input from the earliest stages of the zone's development and translate local strengths and industry needs into a concrete action strategy.

At the meeting, South Gyeongsang Province outlined the region's nuclear industry strengths and its SMR development strategy, while Gyeongnam Technopark shared an analysis of designation requirements and support regimes for comparable special zones.

Participants then discussed strategies suited to establishing an SMR special zone in South Gyeongsang and identified issues to be reflected in the government's development plan. Key topics included how to differentiate the zone by leveraging the province's nuclear manufacturing competitiveness, ways to link technology development, manufacturing infrastructure and workforce training projects, and the direction of regulatory reform and policy support for fostering the SMR industry.

The province said it plans to use the advisory council as a starting point for shaping the SMR special zone's direction while simultaneously preparing a project proposal through a working-level steering committee. Based on input from the advisory meetings, the province intends to formulate a zone development strategy that contributes to the growth of the domestic SMR industry, submit it to the central government, and flesh out a project plan covering technology development, manufacturing infrastructure and specialist workforce training.

"We will faithfully reflect the views of experts and industry to craft a special zone strategy that embodies South Gyeongsang's strengths," said Choi Man-rim, the province's vice governor for innovation and growth. "We will work to strengthen the competitiveness of local companies so they are ready to enter global markets."